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EP1443579A2 - Structure d'étanchéité pour pile à combustible et procédé pour sa formation - Google Patents

Structure d'étanchéité pour pile à combustible et procédé pour sa formation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1443579A2
EP1443579A2 EP03016216A EP03016216A EP1443579A2 EP 1443579 A2 EP1443579 A2 EP 1443579A2 EP 03016216 A EP03016216 A EP 03016216A EP 03016216 A EP03016216 A EP 03016216A EP 1443579 A2 EP1443579 A2 EP 1443579A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sealant
fuel cell
cell unit
components
seal structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03016216A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1443579A3 (fr
Inventor
Tomokazu Hayashi
Chisato Kato
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toyota Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Toyota Motor Corp
Publication of EP1443579A2 publication Critical patent/EP1443579A2/fr
Publication of EP1443579A3 publication Critical patent/EP1443579A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
    • H01M8/0273—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49108—Electric battery cell making
    • Y10T29/4911—Electric battery cell making including sealing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a seal structure for a fuel cell unit and a manufacturing method of same.
  • a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit is constituted by MEAs (i.e., Membrane-Electrode Assemblies) and separators, which are stacked on the top of another.
  • MEAs i.e., Membrane-Electrode Assemblies
  • separators which are stacked on the top of another.
  • Each MEA includes an electrolyte membrane formed by an ion-exchange membrane, an electrode (i.e., anode, fuel electrode) formed by a catalyst layer which is provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and another electrode (i.e., cathode, air electrode) formed by a catalyst layer which is provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane. Diffusion layers are provided between the MEA and the separators on both the anode and cathode sides.
  • each separator In each separator are formed a fuel gas passage for supplying fuel gas (i.e., hydrogen) to the anode, an oxidizing gas passage for supplying oxidizing gas (i.e., oxygen, normally, air) to the cathode, and a coolant passage serving as a path through which coolant (i.e., cooling water) flows.
  • a cell is constituted by stacked MEA and separators, and a module consists at least of one cell.
  • a stack body is formed by stacking a plurality of the modules.
  • terminals, insulators, and end plates are put at both ends of the stack body in a direction that the cells are stacked (will be referred to as a "cell stacking direction"), and the stack body is then clamped in the same direction and fixed using screw bolts, nuts, and fastening members (e.g., tension plates), which are oriented in the cell stacking direction outside of the stack body.
  • screw bolts, nuts, and fastening members e.g., tension plates
  • a seal structure of a fuel cell unit in which a plurality of stacked components of the fuel cell unit are sealed includes: a sealant is provided which is made of a material which maintains an initial material state even under an environment where the fuel cell unit is used, the material being selected from a gel material, high viscosity material and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, a retaining portion is formed at least one of two of the components of the fuel cell unit between which the sealant is interposed, characterized in that the retaining portion is arranged to prevent the sealant from moving.
  • a manufacturing method of a seal structure of a fuel cell unit includes a sealant application step in which a sealant is applied a first component of the fuel cell unit, the sealant being made of a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material and being adapted to maintain an initial material state even under an environment where the fuel cell unit is used; a hardening step of hardening the sealant; and a stacking step of stacking the first component and a second component; characterized in that: the hardening step is performed before the stacking step.
  • the sealant is made of a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, and the sealant is hardened before stacking the components, and the components are bonded to each other by the adhesive force of the sealant only, unlike when adhesive is used to seal the components. Accordingly, the components can be easily separated from each other at the sealed portions thereof, and the sealant can be easily removed off the components. Therefore, it is possible to disassemble the module and stack, which facilitates easier rebuilding (reassembling) and recycling of the fuel cell unit.
  • the sealant made of a gel material, high viscosity material or pressure-sensitive adhesive material maintains its initial material state, and is not subjected to any clamping load. Accordingly, the width of the sealant is kept substantially unchanged once the sealant has been applied to the component, and it is not necessary to have margins for allowing changes in the width of the sealant, unlike the conventional method using adhesive as sealant where the sealant may spread when stacking and pressurizing the works. Consequently, the width of the sealant is made smaller, and a larger area becomes available for the electrodes.
  • the process of hardening (not solidifying) the sealant to a state of a gel or high viscosity material is treated as a process which is different from and precedes that of stacking the components. Accordingly, it is possible to harden a number of works at the same time by, for example, setting the works to which the sealants have already been applied in a hardening apparatus (e.g., a furnace), or by exposing them to ultraviolet lights all at one time. Also, when the sealant is made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive material and is formed in a sheet-like shape, it is possible to prepare a number of works to which the sealants as sealant sheets have already been attached, which also improves the productivity.
  • a hardening apparatus e.g., a furnace
  • the sealant is made of a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, which maintains its initial material state, rather than becoming solid.
  • a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material which maintains its initial material state, rather than becoming solid.
  • the sealant can be applied to a number of components at one time in the following manner.
  • the sealants are first applied to the components, and hardened to a state of a gel material or high-viscosity material by being heated in a furnace or being exposed to ultraviolet lights.
  • the sealant of a pressure-sensitive adhesive material in a sheet-like shape and hardening it beforehand, it is possible to prepare a number of works to which the sealants as sealant sheets have already been attached.
  • modules can be formed by simply stacking the components without applying pressure to them. This drastically simplifies the procedure of assembling the modules, and thus enhances the productivity.
  • the sealant maintains its initial material state (i.e., a state of a gel material, high-viscosity material, or pressure-sensitive adhesive material), and is not subjected to any clamping load.
  • the width of the sealant is kept substantially unchanged once it has been applied to the component.
  • it is not necessary to have margins for allowing changes in the width of the sealant. This reduces the width of the sealant, and thereby increases an available area for electrodes.
  • the sealant does not spread out of the work, which eliminates the need for removing burrs, which may otherwise be formed. Also, since it is not necessary to apply the clamping load to the sealant, it is possible to evaluate the seal quality before assembling the works to form a stack.
  • the spacing portion for keeping a constant distance between the components stacked on the top of another, load is applied to the spacing portion instead of the sealant.
  • the thickness of the MEA does not change even if the sealant creeps. This reduces or eliminates the possibility of the battery performance deteriorating due to changes in the pressure on the surfaces of the electrodes, which may otherwise occur.
  • the sealant has adhesivity in at least its surface, and seal is effected by that adhesivity.
  • adhesivity in at least its surface, and seal is effected by that adhesivity.
  • the retaining portion is formed concave or convex toward the sealant, and the sealant is forced against the concave or convex retaining portion by internal pressure as it is applied, thus providing a "wedge effect.”
  • the seal quality and reliability are improved as compared to the seal by adhesive.
  • the retaining portion is formed so as to act as a "wedge” for retaining the sealant against internal pressure. This reduces or eliminates the possibility of the sealant displacing due to creeping of the sealant or the different thermal expansion coefficients of the sealant and components, thus assuring improved seal reliability.
  • the components are insulated at the spacing portion when they are stacked, and the spacing portion is formed along the periphery of the cell. This arrangement makes it possible to easily insert an insulating sheet, or the like, between the components, namely easily achieve insulation between them.
  • FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view (taken along line A-A in FIG. 5) illustrating a portion of a seal structure of a fuel cell unit according to the invention
  • FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B are sectional views illustrating one example of a retaining portion of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B are sectional views illustrating another example of the retaining portion of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B are sectional views illustrating another example of the retaining portion of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B are sectional views illustrating another example of the retaining portion of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B are sectional views illustrating another example of the retaining portion of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 7 (A) is a perspective view illustrating a process of applying sealants made of a gel or high viscosity material to works, in the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 7 (B) is a perspective view illustrating a process of applying sealants made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive material to works, in the seal structure according to the invention;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a process of applying sealants formed as polymer sheets to works, in the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating one example of a cell surface of the fuel cell unit.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view (taken along line B-B in FIG. 5) illustrating one example of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view (taken along line C-C in FIG. 5) illustrating another example of the seal structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating one example of a stack of the fuel cell unit.
  • This fuel cell unit 10 is a so-called low-temperature type fuel cell unit, such as a solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell unit.
  • the fuel cell unit 10 is mounted on fuel-cell vehicles, for example. Note that an application of the fuel cell unit 10 is not limited to vehicles.
  • the fuel cell unit 10 is constituted by MEAs (i.e., Membrane-Electrode Assemblies) and separators 18, which are stacked on the top of another.
  • MEAs i.e., Membrane-Electrode Assemblies
  • separators 18 which are stacked on the top of another.
  • Each MEA includes an electrolyte membrane 11 formed by an ion-exchange membrane, an electrode (i.e., anode, fuel electrode) 14 formed by a catalyst layer 12 which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 11, and another electrode (i.e., cathode, air electrode) 17 formed by a catalyst layer 15 which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 11.
  • a diffusion layer 13 provided on the anode side of the MEA
  • another diffusion layer 16 provided on the cathode side thereof.
  • a fuel gas passage 27 for supplying fuel gas (i.e., hydrogen) to the anode 14, an oxidizing gas passage 28 for supplying oxidizing gas (i.e., oxygen, normally, air) to the cathode 17, and a coolant passage 26 serving as a path through which coolant (i.e., cooling water) flows.
  • a coolant manifold 29, a fuel gas manifold 30, and an oxidizing gas manifold 31 are also formed in the separator 18.
  • the coolant manifold 29 is connected to the coolant passage 26, the fuel gas manifold 30 is connected to the fuel gas passage 27, and the oxidizing gas manifold 31 is connected to the oxidizing gas passage 28.
  • the separator 18 is made of one selected from carbon, metal, metal-resin, and conductive resin, or various combination of these materials.
  • each cell 19 is constituted by MEA and separators 18 stacked on the top of another, and a module consists at least of one cell 19.
  • a stack body is then formed by stacking a plurality of the modules.
  • terminals 20, insulators 21, and end plates 22 are put at both ends of the stack body in the cell stacking direction, and the stack body is then clamped in the same direction; and is fixed using screw bolts, nuts 25, and fastening members 24 (i.e., tension plates), which are oriented in the cell stacking direction outside of the stack body.
  • a stack 23 is assembled.
  • sealants 32 are provided between the components of the fuel cell unit 10 which includes at least separators 18 and electrolyte membranes 11.
  • the sealants 32 are interposed between two separators 18, or between the separator 18 and electrolyte membrane 11.
  • FIG. 9 shows the positions of the sealants 32 in the surface of the cell (i.e., cell surface), as viewed from above that surface.
  • FIGs. 10 and 11 show the positions of the sealants 32 as viewed from one side of the cell.
  • the sealants 32 seal the fluid passages 26, 27, 28 and the manifolds 29, 30, 31 so as to partition each passage or manifold from other passage or manifold of a different type and from the outside of the fuel cell unit.
  • fluid is prevented from being mixed with others and leaking to the outside.
  • the sealants 32 seal between the separators 18, or between the separator 18 and electrolyte membrane 11.
  • sealant 32 is made of a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, and maintains its initial material state (i.e., the same material state as when the material has been applied to a module or stack during assembly), rather than getting dry or becoming solid.
  • the sealant 32 offers some advantages as follows. First, since the components are bonded via the adhesive force of the sealant 32 only, the components can be easily separated at the sealed portions thereof. Also, the sealant 32 can be easily removed off the components.
  • a retaining portion 33 for retaining the sealant 32 in position is formed on at least one of two adjacent components (i.e., two separators, a separator and an electrolyte membrane) sandwiching the sealant 32. If either of the two components is the separator 18, the retaining portion 33 is formed on it. Retained by the retaining portions 33, the sealant 32 is prevented from moving relative to the component, or being blown off due to internal pressure applied to the sealant 32 from fluids.
  • a spacing portion 34 is formed on at least-one of the separators 18, integrally with or separately from it.
  • the spacing portion 34 maintains a constant distance between the two separators 18, i.e., the portions of the respective separators 18 where the sealant 32 is applied.
  • the spacing portion 34 receives the load, instead of the sealant 32.
  • the thickness of the sealant 32 does not change due to the load which may otherwise occur in the clamped stack body.
  • modules can be assembled by simply placing a MEA on a separator, and further placing another separator on the MEA. Moreover, unlike the conventional seal methods or structures, it is not necessary to press the separators to squash the adhesive.
  • the spacing portion 34 is provided along the periphery of the separator 18. Therefore, the two adjacent components (i.e., separators, or a separator and an electrolyte membrane) are spaced from each other at a constant distance in the cell stacking direction. Also, the spacing portion 34 also allows a space above the retaining portion 33, and the sealant 32 is provided in this space so as to seal between the components. With the spacing portion 34 thus provided, since the sealant 32 is not subjected to load, the sealant 32 hardly spreads out in the width direction of the stack body. Therefore, unlike when adhesive is used, it is not necessary to have margins to allow such spread of the sealant 32. Also, the sealant 32 has adhesivity on at least one surface thereof. The sealant 32 may be made of an adhesive material, or may be made adhesive by applying adhesive agent or substance to its surfaces.
  • the retaining portion 33 is formed concave or convex toward the sealant 32.
  • the retaining portion 33 is provided by at least one protruding rib (convex rib) which is continuously or intermittently formed. The height of the protruding rib is determined so as to allow a space for the sealant 32 between the tip of the protruding rib and the component that faces the protruding rib.
  • the sealant 32 provides a so-called "wedge effect" by being forced against the retaining portion 33, which results in further improved seal quality.
  • the retaining portion 33 may merely be a plane portion contacting with the sealant 32, and may be made adhesive through a plasma treatment, etc. More specifically, a plasma treatment activates the surface of the plane portion, thus strengthening the adhesion with the sealant 32.
  • FIGs. 2 to 6 show cross sections of the retaining portions 33 formed in various concave or convex shapes.
  • FIGs. 2A and 2B show the case where the retaining portion 33 is formed by a protruding rib having tapered portions 33a on both sides along the width direction thereof, where a fluid pressure is applied from both sides.
  • the protruding ribs 33 thus formed are provided on both two components facing each other. While the two components are both separators in the examples shown in FIGs. 2 to 6, they may instead be a separator and an electrolyte membrane.
  • FIG. 2B the above protruding rib is only provided on one of the components. FIGs.
  • FIG. 3A and 3B show the case where the retaining portion 33 is formed by a protruding rib having a tapered portion 33a on neither side along the width direction thereof, where fluid pressure is applied from both sides.
  • the protruding ribs 33 thus formed are provided on both the two components facing each other.
  • the protruding rib is only provided on one of the components.
  • FIGs. 4A and 4B show the case where the retaining portion 33 is formed by a protruding rib having a tapered portion 33a on one side along the width direction thereof, which is subjected to fluid pressure (i.e., internal pressure).
  • the retaining portions 33 thus formed are provided on both the two components facing each other.
  • the protruding rib is only provided on one of the components.
  • FIGs. 5A and 5B show the case where the retaining portion 33 is formed by a protruding rib which does not have a tapered portion on one side along its width direction, which is subjected to fluid pressure (i.e., internal pressure).
  • the protruding ribs 33 thus formed are provided on both the two components facing each other.
  • the protruding rib is only provided on one of the components.
  • FIGs. 6A and 6B show the case where the retaining portion 33 is formed by at lease one concave portion and the sealant 32 is caught in the concave portion, where fluid pressure (i.e., internal pressure) is applied from both sides along the width direction of the concave portion.
  • fluid pressure i.e., internal pressure
  • the concave portions 32 are provided in both the two components facing each other.
  • the concave portion is only provided in one of the components. In this case, the aforementioned wedge effect of the sealant 32 acts at an edge of the concave portion, which bites into the sealant 32.
  • insulation is provided between the separators 18 at the spacing portion 34 in order to prevent short-circuit.
  • This insulation can be easily achieved by inserting an insulant between the separators 18 at the spacing portion 34, or by forming an insulating membrane or layer on the top of the spacing portion 34. Since the spacing portion 34 is formed along the periphery of the cell as described above, the insulant can be easily inserted.
  • FIGs. 7A, 7B and 8 are views illustrating exemplary manufacturing methods of the seal structure according to the embodiment.
  • the sealant 32 is made of a material selected from a gel material, a high viscosity material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive material, and maintains its initial material state, rather than becoming solid, under an environment where the fuel cell unit is used.
  • the processes from an application of the sealants 32 to the components to hardening of the sealants 32 i.e., gel material, high-viscosity material, or pressure-sensitive adhesive material
  • these manufacturing methods relate to the processes of constructing a seal structure, which are performed before stacking of the components.
  • FIG. 7A Shown in FIG. 7A is one example where the sealant 32 is applied using a dispenser (e.g., a dispenser robot that applies a gel material via a nozzle).
  • a dispenser e.g., a dispenser robot that applies a gel material via a nozzle.
  • the sealant 32 may be applied by other method appropriate for assuming a high productivity, such as screen printing. In case of screen printing, even if the surface of a work is not smooth, the sealant 32 can be easily applied on a sheet (i.e., protector paper). After the sealant 32 has been applied to the work, the sealant 32 is then hardened by being exposed to heat or ultraviolet lights.
  • hardening shall not be interpreted as solidification of the sealant 32, but shall be interpreted as a process of increasing the hardness of the sealant 32 when it is made of a gel material, or a process of increasing the viscosity of the sealant 32 when it is made of a high-viscosity material. Then, the works are stacked to form a module.
  • FIGs. 7B and 8 show another example where the sealant 32, instead of being made of a gel material or high viscosity material aforementioned, is a sheet made of a polymer material having an adhesivity, and is attached to the works. This offers the following advantages.
  • the sealant 32 is made of a material selected from a gel material, high-viscosity material, and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, and does not harden under an environment where the fuel cell unit is used, the following advantages and effects are obtained.
  • modules can be easily disassembled, which facilitates easier rebuilding and recycling of them.
  • the sealant 32 can be applied to a number of components at one time in the following manner.
  • the sealants 32 are first applied to the components as shown in FIG. 7A , and hardened into a state of a gel or high-viscosity material by being heated in a furnace or being exposed to ultraviolet lights.
  • the aforementioned polymer sheets are used as shown in FIG. 7B, they are simply attached to the components. In this case, it is possible to prepare a number of components to which the sealants 32 have already been applied, which results in improved productivity.
  • modules can be formed by simply stacking the components without applying pressure to them. This drastically simplifies the procedure of assembling modules, and thus enhances the productivity.
  • the sealant 32 maintains its initial material state (i.e., a state of a gel material, high-viscosity material, or pressure-sensitive adhesive material), and is not subjected to any clamping load.
  • the sealant 32 hardly spreads in the width direction thereof, that is, the width of the sealant 32 is kept substantially unchanged from when it has been applied to the component.
  • it is not necessary to have margins for allowing changes in the width of the sealant 32. This reduces the width of the sealant 32, and thereby increases an available area for electrodes.
  • the sealant does not spread out of the work, which eliminates the need for removing burrs, which may otherwise be formed. Also, since it is not necessary to apply the clamping load to the sealants 32, it is possible to evaluate the seal quality before assembling the works to form a stack.
  • the sealant 32 is formed into a certain pattern or shape such as an annular shape (i.e., closed shape), on other object before being applied or transferred to a work, such as when the sealant 32 is formed into an annular shape on a sheet and is transferred to a work from the sheet, it reduces or eliminates the possibility of the sealant 32 being hindered from hardening by resinous substances which exist on or within the work, and which have a property of hindering the hardening of the sealant 32.
  • the sealant 32 is a sealant made of thermoplastic high polymer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer sheet, it is possible to recycle the sealant 32 as well as the electrodes.
  • the sealant 32 can be used to both seal between the modules (i.e., between the separators), and between the components in one module (i.e., between the separator and electrolyte membrane, or between the separators). Namely, other sealants or seal members (e.g., rubber gasket, adhesive) can be replaced by the sealant 32, thus reducing the number of seal components.
  • other sealants or seal members e.g., rubber gasket, adhesive
  • the spacing portion 34 load is applied to the spacing portion 32 instead of the sealant 32.
  • the thickness of MEA does not change even if the sealant 32 creeps. This reduces or eliminates the possibility of the battery performance deteriorating due to changes in the pressure on the surfaces of the electrodes, which may otherwise occur.
  • the spacing portions 34 are formed in a convex shape and is continuously provided along the periphery of the separator 18. This increases the rigidity of the separator 18, and thus reduces the degree or possibility of warping of the separator 18, which may occur when forming the separator 18.
  • the sealant 32 has adhesivity at least on its surface and seal is effected by that adhesivity.
  • adhesivity at least on its surface and seal is effected by that adhesivity.
  • works do not come apart from each other, and therefore, each module can be easily handled during assembly.
  • a sheet-shaped pressure-sensitive adhesive material is used as the sealant 32, the productivity can be improved by applying the sealants 32 on the protection paper in a certain pattern, and attaching them to the works.
  • the sealant 32 is forced against the concave or convex retaining portion 33, i.e., a step or tapered portion thereof, by internal pressure as it is applied, thereby achieving improved seal quality and reliability as compared to the seal by adhesive.
  • the retaining portion 33 is formed so as to act as a "wedge" for retaining the sealant 32 against internal pressure as aforementioned. This reduces or eliminates the possibility of the sealant 32 displacing due to creeping of the sealant 32 or the different thermal expansion coefficients of the sealant 32 and components (i.e., separator 18, electrolyte membrane 11), thus assuring an improved seal quality.
  • the separators 18 are insulated at the spacing portion 34 when they are stacked, and the spacing portion 34 is formed along the periphery of the cell. This arrangement enables an insulating sheet, or the like, to be easily inserted between the separators 18, namely enables insulation to be easily achieved between them.
  • the process of hardening the sealant to a state of a gel material or high-viscosity material is treated as a process which is different from and precedes the process of stacking the components, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is possible to harden a number of works at the same time by, for example, setting the works to which the sealants 32 have already been applied in a hardening apparatus (e.g., a furnace), or by exposing them to ultraviolet lights all at one time.
  • a hardening apparatus e.g., a furnace
  • ultraviolet lights ultraviolet lights
  • the invention relates to a seal structure of a fuel cell unit (10) which permits easier rebuilding (reassembling) and recycling of the fuel cell unit (10), and a manufacturing method of the same structure.
  • the process of hardening the sealant is performed as a process, which is different from and precedes the process of stacking the components.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
EP03016216A 2002-07-19 2003-07-17 Structure d'étanchéité pour pile à combustible et procédé pour sa formation Withdrawn EP1443579A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002211556 2002-07-19
JP2002211556A JP3951841B2 (ja) 2002-07-19 2002-07-19 燃料電池のシール構造とその製造方法

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1443579A2 true EP1443579A2 (fr) 2004-08-04
EP1443579A3 EP1443579A3 (fr) 2004-08-11

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EP03016216A Withdrawn EP1443579A3 (fr) 2002-07-19 2003-07-17 Structure d'étanchéité pour pile à combustible et procédé pour sa formation

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US (1) US20040028983A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1443579A3 (fr)
JP (1) JP3951841B2 (fr)
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CA2435098C (fr) 2010-06-08
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EP1443579A3 (fr) 2004-08-11
CA2435098A1 (fr) 2004-01-19
JP3951841B2 (ja) 2007-08-01

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